Page 7 of Dreaming of Dawson

“I wish I could give you more hours,” she says. “But, I can’t. Not yet. We might be doing well, but it’s not just about the money. There wouldn’t be enough to keep us both busy, and…”

“I know,” I say, cutting her off, before she gets overwhelmed by self-inflicted guilt. “I get that, Peony. It’s just that I needsomething more… not just for the cash, but to get me out of the house. Having to spend my afternoons and evenings listening to kids strangling the living daylights out of piano chords is getting a bit wearing.”

They both laugh, and Ryan glances at Peony before he turns to me.

“Do you know Dawson’s bar?” he says.

“Yes.” I’m not sure where he’s going with this, but I twist in my seat and turn to face him properly. “I’ve passed it a few times, going into town.” I’ve also seen a really handsome man outside on more than one occasion… handsome, dark, and brooding. But interesting enough to catch my attention and make me inquire about him at the delicatessen. After just the briefest of descriptions, the lady there informed me he was Dawson Pine… owner of the bar, and when I saw him again a few days later, I’ll admit, the attraction was even greater. Not because I knew his name, or that he owned the bar, but because there was something about him… something that made me want to stare at him for a very long time, and hope he might want to stare back.

It was the first inkling I’d had that I might be ready to move on from James… and all I can say to that is hallelujah. It’s about time. I can think of far worse people to move on with than the dark-eyed Dawson Pine.

“You should call in there,” Ryan says, pulling me back from my daydreams.

“Why?”

“Because Gabe and I were walking past the other day and I noticed there was a help wanted sign in the window. I don’t know if you’re interested in bar work, but the hours would probably work well with you continuing here, and…”

“It’s something I’ve done before,” I say, and he smiles.

“Then it sounds ideal.”

Except for one minor problem. I’ve already established I’m attracted to Dawson. I’m very attracted to him, if I’m being honest, and experience tells me that if he’s to become my boss, there’s only one way it can end.

Badly.

Chapter Two

Dawson

“At least she stayed through Christmas and New Year.”

I shake my head at Tanner, although I regret the move and stand completely still for a second, just to get my bearings.

“Is that supposed to help?” I ask. “Oakley may not have been the best bar worker I’ve ever had, but she was better than nothing… which is what I’ve got now.”

“I wouldn’t let Maggie hear you say that.” He nods over my shoulder and I turn, taking my time, so I don’t lose my balance, and focus on Maggie, who’s at the other end of the bar. She’s in her mid-forties, divorced with no kids, and has been here since not long after Stevie and I opened this place. But she’s a waitress. She hates working behind the bar, and doesn’t hesitate to remind me of that at every opportunity.

“She’s only here four nights a week. It’s the most I can persuade her to do,” I say, turning back to Tanner, who’s sipping on a glass of red wine. “It’s been nearly two weeks since Oakley walked out, and I can’t find anyone to take her place.”

“It might help if you weren’t so damn miserable all the time.”

No-one but my oldest friend could get away with saying that to me… but even so, it’s not what I want to hear.

“It doesn’t bother anyone else,” I say, going on the defensive. “Maggie and Vanessa have been waiting tables duringthe lunchtime service for years, and I can’t remember when Karl and Ned started working here, but neither of them has ever said anything about my attitude.”

“That’s because they have each other for moral support,” he says. “Whoever works with you in the evenings has to survive all by themselves. It’s a big ask.”

“Thanks.” I grab my drink and take a long gulp, feeling the satisfying buzz as it hits my brain… or what’s left of it. “The thing is, we don’t all have a reason to walk around with a smile on our faces.” He tilts his head, although he doesn’t wipe that annoying grin from his lips. “Speaking of which, where’s Zara tonight?”

I may not have seen Tanner for a few weeks, but when I have, he’s been with Zara. The two of them have been inseparable since they met in the fall, and despite everything I’ve just said to him, I don’t resent his happiness… not one bit. He deserves it after everything he’s been through.

“She’s spending the evening with Peony.”

“Oh? I wasn’t aware they were friends?”

“They’re not,” he says. “Zara doesn’t have any friends here yet… other than Katie.”

“And you,” I say and he nods.

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